Overview
Are you confused due to the numerous alternatives for graphics cards under $500 that you're not even sure what you want to buy anymore? The lengthy, complicated nomenclature of the graphics processing units available at computer stores makes even the most casual gamers quiver in horror. Yet, they are too shy to ask for assistance.
We've all been there, I assure you. Look no further since this is what you've been looking for; after reading it, you won't ever be indecisive about picking or upgrading your GPU again.
The electronic age is one in which things move quickly. Competing vendors provide variations with marginally different performances, separated by weeks, if not days, between developing improved technologies. To capitalize on a constantly expanding market, these performance marks are adjusted to suit specific customers' requirements. This article lists the Best Graphics Cards Under $500 currently on the market.
Top Picks
Check out our list of Best Graphics Cards Under $500 suggested by Experts.
-
Best Graphics Cards Overall: XFX RX 6700 XT
-
Best Value Graphics Cards: EVGA GeForce RTX 3050
-
Best Graphics Cards for Trying Ray-Tracing: Zotac RTX 3060
-
Best Budget-Friendly Graphics Cards for AMD Users: MSI RX 6600
-
Best Affordable RTX Graphics Cards: EVGA RTX 3050Â
-
Best Compact Graphics Cards: ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660
-
Best Performance Graphics Cards: ASUS GeForce RTX 2060
- Best Graphics Cards for 1440p Gaming: MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060 Super
Reviews
1. EVGA Geforce RTX 2070 Black
A 2070 graphics card that costs less than $500 is produced by EVGA. It has the best specs listed. The 8 Gigabyte brand-new DDR6 VRAM technology is a feature of the EVGA Geforce RTX 2070 Black Edition. However, it increases the core clock speed and offers a memory clock speed of 14000 MHz.
According to the specifications, the boost clock is 1620 MHz and supports 4 displays with a mind-boggling maximum digital resolution of 7680 x 4320. The GPU is instead cooled using a sink heat system and two fans. With a thermal design power of 550 watts, the GPU is pretty powerful and requires a lot of cooling to function correctly. However, it is necessary given that real-time ray tracing technology requires a certain amount of bandwidth and memory clock speed.
Pros
-
Good performance.
-
Fans stop in idle.
-
Better value than competing models.
-
Energy efficient.
-
Quiet operation.
Cons
-
No NVLink SLI support.
-
No fancy lighting.
2. ASUS Geforce GTX 1070
Asus uses GDDR5 technology for its VRAM, just like the typical 1070 GPUs. It has the same 8 Gigabyte capacity and 256-bit memory bandwidth as the 2070s on our list. In summary, ASUS brags about its fans' unique, patent-pending design, which generates 105% air pressure and keeps the GPU cool for efficient operation.
It's good news for ASUS users since the ASUS 1070 is optimized for the ASUS – X99 A II motherboard. The other good news is that it is reasonably priced if you intend to purchase a graphics card for gaming.
The GPU supports VR gaming, includes HDMI connections compatible with VR, and is designed for professionals who enjoy showcasing their skills. While playing the game, it takes screenshots using Nvidia Ansel technology. For those who enjoy customizing your GPU's performance, it takes advantage of XSplit Gamecaster. It offers considerably more sophisticated and individualized tweaking for seasoned overclockers and much simpler options for newcomers.
Pros
-
Great performance.
-
Quiet operation.
-
Excellent cooling solution.
-
Efficient.
Cons
-
Pricy.
3. MSI Gaming Geforce GTX 1070
Additionally, MSI has produced its own version based on the top gaming GPU, the 1070. It features 1920 CUDA cores as usual and a max memory clock speed of 8108 MHz instead of the standard 8008 MHz. Again, nothing unusual about this one either; the specifications and technical features are nearly identical.
One of the best overclocking programs on the market is also provided by MSI. The MSI Afterburner is a straightforward piece of software that explains how to increase the performance of your GPU understandably.
It also includes a stress testing program that lets you test your GPU at the suggested settings and gives you a decent indication of whether it can withstand the conditions you want it to operate in. Additionally, it features a built-in temperature monitor so you can quickly monitor the temperature of the GPU core.
Pros
-
Attractive design with RGB LEDs.
-
Impressive performance.
-
Quiet operation.
-
Great cooling solution.
-
Reasonable cost compared to other GTX 1070 cards.
Cons
-
One of the LEDs' colors cannot be changed.
4. EVGA Geforce GTX 1070 Gaming ACX 3.0 Black Edition
Also, EVGA's graphics card is one of the greatest gaming GPUs on the market. It has a 256 GB/sec bandwidth and a typical 256 Bit width. Only the AC 3.0 cooling system differs from the EVGA's black edition adaptation of the NVidia 1070 GPU.
The fans are now 10 cm tall instead of the customary 9 cm. The most annoying aspect of the GPU when gaming at such high performance is typically the fan noise. Despite the larger AC 3.0 fans, they use idle technology.
The fans turn off when the GPU doesn't need to be cooled. As a result, your GPU might become completely silent while gaming in a freezing room and not need any cooling.
Pros
-
Great performance.
-
Fans stop in idle.
-
Cool and quiet.
-
Easy to use.
Cons
-
No customizable lighting.
5. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 G1
Since Gigabyte has already released another version of the GTX 1070, As I've already indicated, the 1070 Pascal architecture is one of the greatest GPUs for gaming. Since both GPUs are graphics cards priced around $500, I'll just provide a brief comparison of the two 1070 models made by the same manufacturer, Gigabyte. One of the variations is known as G1, and the other is known as Windforce.
In addition, the cooling system includes a three-fan design. More fans should theoretically result in better cooling.
In conclusion, G1 delivers somewhat better performance and cooling at a lower price, and it also includes hardware that is 17mm smaller, which can be helpful for those with limited room in their system. Obviously not a difficult choice to make if you have a gigabyte attitude. The more practical option is Windforce.
Pros
-
Great performance.
-
Affordable compared to several rivals.
-
Equipped with 8GB GDDR5 RAM.
-
Ultra Durable technology provides reliability and stability.
-
Smooth gameplay at QHD resolution.
Cons
-
Noise.
FAQs
Q: Do gaming PCs require GPUs?
The GPU will be your most essential buy if you're creating a PC to play games. Although other elements like the CPU, storage, and RAM can also affect performance, the GPU is closely related to what you see when playing.
Q: Will graphics card prices drop in 2022?
Right now, GPU costs are still declining. As AMD and Nvidia get ready for the next generation, we've noticed significant price cuts on entry-level Nvidia graphics cards since September and a general decreasing trend.
Q: Does GTA V work with a 1GB GPU?
4GB of RAM is one of the minimal requirements for the game. Despite this, a 2GB graphics card and an i3 processor are still required for the game to work successfully.
Final Thought
I'll try to offer you an overview and a sense of the best option for you at the end of the entire text.
The 2070 is the most recent technology, featuring real-time ray tracing and Turing architecture. It is the best GPU for gaming in the world right now and technologically superior to the rest of the market.
It is the most powerful graphics card due to the number of CUDA cores, memory bandwidth, and brand-new artificial intelligence processing. It is far more modern than the 1070s and 1080s made with the Pascal architecture, which is still considered NVidia's second-best architecture.
However, 2070 can only be viewed as an investment in future technology at this time because so few games really make use of futuristic technology. Games currently on the market are compatible with NVidia's 1070 or 1080 technology without any issues. But for gaming, video editing, graphics rendering, etc., these two graphics cards work well.